Oral Cancer Screening Powell
Potentially Lifesaving Oral Cancer Detection
Many people assume that going to the dentist for routine checkups is just to make sure they don’t have any cavities. However, these appointments examine much more than just the health of your dental structure. We also provide oral cancer screenings as part of your routine checkups, and with the number of cases of oral cancer continuing to grow each year, it’s an incredibly vital part of each visit.
Why Choose Powell Dental Group for Oral Cancer Screenings?
- Quadruple Board-Certified Dentist with Extensive Experience
- Compassionate Dental Team That Puts Patients First
- Comfortable Office with Numerous Patient-Friendly Amenities
Signs and Symptoms of Oral Cancer
Thankfully, oral cancer is curable if it’s caught early on, making detection essential. Many symptoms are hard to notice on your own, but you should be on the lookout for these common warning signs:
- Changes in the color of soft tissue
- Mouth sores that won’t heal
- Persistent sore throat or mouth pain
- Lumps or thickening in the neck
- White or red patches on the gums, tongue, or lining of the mouth
- Difficulty chewing or swallowing
- Numbness in the tongue or throat
- Persistent bad breath
What Does My Dentist Look for During an Oral Cancer Screening?
While this disease is becoming more common even among those who don’t smoke or use tobacco, the recovery rate is still much higher than other cancers if caught in its early stages. Our team will check your mouth for any of the symptoms listed above or asymmetries that could tip off cancer. You may have even received an oral cancer screening before without even knowing it, because they can be completed in a matter of minutes!
What Should I Expect During My Oral Cancer Screening?
This easy, noninvasive screening is the best way to detect oral cancer while it’s still small. First, we will carefully examine your lips, mouth, cheeks, throat, tongue, tonsils, head, and any other related areas for warning signs of cancer. We have an OralID oral cancer screener, which illuminates abnormalities in the mouth to make the symptoms quick and easy to spot. After, we will feel along your jawbone and neck to check for any lumps or bumps that could be a cause for concern. If we do find any signs or symptoms, we may recommend a biopsy to further investigate.
While we never want to find cancer, we must detect this health issue to give you a shot at a full recovery. If you haven’t received a routine screening in the last year, contact our office right away to set up an appointment.